Category: Tri-Town Sports

  • Smith emerges as one of state’s elite players

    BY MIKE WHITE Staff Writer BY MIKE WHITEStaff Writer LAKEWOOD — As a sophomore, Lakewood High School guard Chris Smith showed signs of possibly becoming one of the top players in the Shore Conference. He was graced with a solid perimeter game, but he was still lacking the polish needed to place him in that…

  • Seniors set the tone for Jags’ stellar season

    BY MIKE WHITE Staff Writer BY MIKE WHITEStaff Writer JACKSON — Faced with the prospect of graduating seven seniors and losing another key performer to a season-ending injury, the Jackson High School wrestling team wasn’t expected to make much noise in the Shore Conference, District 21 or state tournaments. Many labeled the Jaguars’ program as…

  • Howell rally falls one point short of CJ IV title

    Trenton holds on for 53-52 win BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer BY TIM MORRISStaff Writer PHOTOS BY JEFF GRANIT staff Above, Howell’s Erin Donahue goes baseline against a Trenton defender in the Central Jersey Group IV final on March 9 in Sayreville. At left, Howell’s Brianne Lavin tries to fend off a Trenton defender. This…

  • Lakewood duo prove mettle in Atlantic City

    Local grapplers mix it up with best in the state BY DOUG McKENZIE Staff Writer BY DOUG McKENZIEStaff Writer JEFFGRANIT staff Lakewood’s Matt Rizzo reacts after making a mistake early in his semifinal bout with Rahway’s Darrion Caldwell, which allowed the eventual state champ to pin the Piner in Atlantic City on Saturday. The best…

  • New Egypt grapplers exceeded expectations

    BY MIKE WHITE Staff Writer BY MIKE WHITEStaff Writer PLUMSTED — First-year New Egypt High School coach Kevin English wasn’t certain how severe the growing pains would be for the 2004-05 edition of the Warriors’ wrestling team. With only three seniors returning from last year’s campaign, English accepted the possibility of experiencing tough times. English…

  • Hopkins proves he’s more than just a football star

    BY MIKE WHITE Staff Writer BY MIKE WHITEStaff Writer ATLANTIC CITY — New Egypt High School senior wrestler Lee Hopkins built a wave of momentum entering last weekend’s NJSIAA state championship. Hopkins was coming off a couple of impressive weekends of postseason wrestling. Hopkins won the District 25 championship at 189 pounds and followed that…

  • Title count rises for Lady Lancers, Colts

    SJV girls made return to Tournament of Champions last night BY DOUG McKENZIE Staff Writer BY DOUG McKENZIEStaff Writer PHOTOS BY JEFFGRANIT staff St. John Vianney’s Shantel Brown, of Lakewood, has been a difference maker for the Lancers throughout their postseason run. It came as a surprise to no one that both the St. John…

  • Lavin’s free throws put Rebels in final

    Howell edges Hillsborough, 52-49, in semis BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer BY TIM MORRISStaff Writer JEFF GRANIT staff Above, Howell’s Brianne Lavin dribbles upcourt during the Rebels’ win over East Brunswick in CJGroup IV tournament play on Thursday in Howell. At left, Howell’s Jamie Biddle avoids the pressure of the Bears’ Meghan Mayo. Howell High…

  • Piners fall in state semifinal

    BY MIKE WHITE Staff Writer BY MIKE WHITEStaff Writer LAKEWOOD — Competing against an extremely quick and athletic team, the Lakewood High School (LHS) boys basketball team’s run through the state tournament came to an abrupt halt with a loss in the semifinals last Saturday. The Piners, who proved to be one of the premier…